LEE, Heekee (18-207, Shinbanpo Apt.Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-040, KR)
[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]
<66> A digital set-top box having a karaoke function, comprising: <67> a user interface for inputting a user' s command, required to select an operation of the set-top box; <68> a tuner for receiving broadcasts; <69> system memory for storing various types of programs required to operate the set-top box; <70> audio/video data memory for storing MIDI content that contains accompaniment data, lyrics data, still image data, and moving image data corresponding to a great number of songs! <7i> a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for processing a broadcast signal received through the tuner, and controlling driving of various types of peripherals used for karaoke in response to a command input from the user interface; <72> a display for displaying a broadcast image output from the CPU when broadcasts are watched, and displaying lyrics of a corresponding song together with any one of a still image, a moving image, and a broadcast image, selected by the CPU when accompaniment is played; <73> a sound source chip having sound sources required to represent accompaniment data, selected by the CPU and stored in the audio/video data memory, using sounds of various musical instruments; <74> a microphone for converting the user' s voice into an electrical signal ', <75> a mixer for mixing the sounds of musical instruments represented by the sound source chip with the voice collected by the microphone; <76> a switch for selecting broadcast sounds output from the CPU when broadcasts are watched, and selecting the sounds of musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer when accompaniment is played; and <77> a speaker for outputting the broadcast sounds, or the sounds of musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer, as selected using the switch. [Claim 2]
<78> The digital set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is constructed to display TV broadcast images and lyrics of a song read from the audio/video data memory. [Claim 3]
<79> The digital set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is connected to an external image input device, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a camcorder, a Digital Video Express (DIVX) player, or a video camera, and is constructed to display a background image and lyrics of a song, which are read from the audio/video data memory, together with an image input from the external image input device when accompaniment is played. [Claim 4]
<80> The digital set-top box according to claim 3, wherein the background image is one of a Bitmap (BMP) image, an MPEG still image, and an MPEG moving image. [Claim 5]
<8i> The digital set-top box according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the CPU is connected to a hard disc for storing broadcasts to be displayed on the display, or storing an image, a background image, and lyrics of a song, which are output from the audio/video data memory, the hard disc having a function of a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) enabling stored data to be played under control of the CPU at a request of the user when accompaniment is played. [Claim 6]
<82> The digital set-top box according to claim 4, wherein the hard disc is connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device for interfacing with an external device. [Claim 7]
<83> The digital set-top box according to claim 1, wherein a broadcasting station transmits MIDI content or background image information to the digital set-top box of the user together with broadcast signals using an Over-The-Air (OTA) method, and the digital set-top box can download the MIDI content or background image data received from the broadcasting station in real time using the OTA method.
[Claim 8]
<84> The digital set-top box according to claim 7, wherein the digital set- top box of the user enables charging of a price for downloading MIDI content or background images using a user authentication device, such as a Common Interface (CI) or Conditional Access System (CAS) when the MIDI content or background images are downloaded using an OTA method. |
[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]
DIGITAL SET-TOP BOX SYSTEM HAVING KARAOKE FUNCTION [Technical Field]
<i> The present invention relates, in general, to a digital set-top box having a karaoke function. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital set-top box having a karaoke function, in which a typical digital set-top box is integrated with a karaoke machine, so that broadcast images that are received in real time or images that are provided by an external image input device, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a camcorder, a Digital Video Express (DIVX) player, or a video camera, can be used as background screens for karaoke, and in which Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) content or a background image can be downloaded using an Over-The-Air (OTA) method and can be used for karaoke. [Background Art]
<2> Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, a conventional set-top box includes a tuner 101 for receiving a broadcast signal, a demodulator 102 for converting an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal filtered by the tuner 101 into a digital baseband signal, and converting the digital baseband signal into Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Transport Stream (TS) data, an MPEG decoder 103 for decoding the MPEG TS data output from the demodulator 102 into a video signal and an audio signal, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 104 for controlling a memory unit 105, which stores executable programs, font data, protocols, etc., while combining the video signal and audio signal, output from the MPEG decoder 103, with each other and converting the combined signal into a signal to be displayed on a Television (TV), and a user interface 106 for transmitting an input signal from a user to the CPU 104.
<3> The operation of the conventional digital set-top box is described.
<4> First, in the case where digital TV broadcasts are watched, when the tuner 101 detects a broadcast signal desired by the user in the signals received through an antenna, filters and passes an Intermediate Frequency
(IF) signal, and provides the IF signal to the demodulator 102, the demodulator 102 converts the IF signal into a digital baseband signal, converts the digital baseband signal into MPEG TS data, and outputs the MPEG TS data to the MPEG decoder 103.
<5> The MPEG decoder 103 decodes a digital Transport Packet (TP) stream, and separates the digital TP stream into a video signal, an audio signal, and various types of information data, and outputs the video signal, audio signal, and various types of information data to the CPU 104. Then, the CPU 104, provided with a video encoder, converts the video signal input from the MPEG decoder 103 into a format that can be displayed on the TV, and outputs the format as a composite signal, a component signal, and an S-terminal signal, thus allowing the user to watch the corresponding broadcast.
<6> Further, if the user presses a specific key, required to display a menu screen, or a button on a Remote Control Unit (RCU), the CPU 104, having received the key or button signal through the user interface 106, controls the driving of the digital set-top box so as to display a menu screen on a TV screen, or to receive a broadcast corresponding to the channel selected by the manipulation of buttons.
<7> As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional karaoke machine includes a user interface 201, having a key control part for setting the selection and reservation of a specific song, tempo, a sound band, etc. and a remote control signal reception unit, a CPU 202 for processing a command input from the user interface 201, and controlling various types of peripherals, system memory 203 for storing therein various programs used by the CPU 202 to perform operations, audio/video data memory 204 for storing data about accompaniment, the lyrics, still images, and moving images corresponding to a great number of songs, a display 209 for displaying the lyrics, still images, and moving images, a sound source chip 205 having sound sources of various types of musical instruments, a microphone 206 for converting a user' s voice into an electrical signal, a mixer 208 for mixing played sounds with the user s voice, and a speaker 210 for outputting the sounds of musical instruments
together with the user' s voice.
<8> The operation of the conventional karaoke machine is described. <9> First, when the user searches a data book of song titles for the number of a desired song, and selects the desired song using a remote controller or keys on the user interface 201, the CPU 202 loads an accompaniment file, a lyrics file, and moving image data or still image data corresponding to the desired song from the video/audio data memory 204, using a program stored in the system memory 203. Thereafter, the CPU 202 starts to play accompaniment when a start button or a key corresponding thereto is manipulated.
<io> In this case, the accompaniment file may have various formats, and generally has the form of a MIDI file. Such a file contains information about the musical instruments corresponding to the selected song and the play sequence thereof, rather than containing information that is all of the sounds of the song.
<ii> Therefore, if the CPU 202 transmits file information to the sound source chip 205, the sound source chip 205 sequentially outputs the sound sources of respective musical instruments to the mixer 208 using the information about the musical instruments. The mixer 208 mixes the electrified voice of the user, input from the microphone 206, with the sound sources, and outputs the mixed results to the speaker 210.
<i2> Further, in the case of an image part, still images can be output, or moving images can be played. The CPU 202 converts the color of corresponding lyrics according to the rhythm of a song in synchronization with the sound source chip 205 while displaying the lyrics on the display 209 using the lyrics file, thus allowing the user to conveniently use the karaoke machine. Further, after the playing of accompaniment has been completed, the CPU 202 calculates and displays a score using a separate program as a method for arousing the user' s interest.
<i3> In this way, the conventional digital set-top box and the karaoke machine are separately constructed, so that they cannot be used in association with each other, and the karaoke machine has a disadvantage in
that, in order to obtain new MIDI content or a background image, MIDI content or a background image must be downloaded by accessing the Internet, or must be obtained using a separate memory pack. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem]
<14> Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a scheme, in which a conventional digital set-top box and karaoke machine are integrated into a single system, so that a karaoke function as well as a function of receiving broadcasts can be performed using a single system without utilizing a separately provided karaoke machine and digital set-top box, thus increasing the convenience of use and reducing costs.
<15> Another object of the present invention is to provide a scheme, in which a real-time broadcast image selected by a user can be used as a background screen, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user, thus enabling various images to be used as background screens.
<i6> A further object of the present invention is to provide a scheme, in which various images input from an external image input device, such as a DVD player, a DIVX player, or a video camera, can be used as background screens, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user, thus enabling various images, as well as real-time broadcast images, to be used as background screens. In particular, the present invention allows a background image selected by a user to be displayed together with an image captured by a video camera when the image captured by the video camera is used as a background screen, thus arousing the user' s interest.
<17> Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a scheme, in which various types of images and MIDI content selected by a user can be stored in a hard disc and can be played and used repeatedly, thus allowing a user to utilize a karaoke function without using real-time broadcast images
or any external image input device, and, additionally, allowing the user to freely create his or her own content for karaoke.
<18> Still another object of the present invention is to provide a scheme, which allows desired MIDI content or a desired background image to be downloaded using an OTA method, thus obtaining various types of MIDI content or background images without accessing the Internet or requiring the purchase of a separate memory pack. In particular, the present invention can enable charging for downloaded MIDI content or background images using a user authentication device (for example, a Common Interface [CI], a Conditional Access System [CAS], etc.), thus operating a content service. [Technical Solution]
<19> In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a digital set-top box having a karaoke function, comprising a user interface for inputting a user' s command, required to select an operation of the set-top box; a tuner for receiving broadcasts; system memory for storing various types of programs required to operate the set-top box; audio/video data memory for storing MIDI content that contains accompaniment data, lyrics data, still image data, and moving image data corresponding to a great number of songs; a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for processing a broadcast signal received through the tuner, and controlling driving of various types of peripherals used for karaoke in response to a command input from the user interface; a display for displaying a broadcast image output from the CPU when broadcasts are watched, and displaying lyrics of a corresponding song together with any one of a still image, a moving image, and a broadcast image, selected by the CPU when accompaniment is played; a sound source chip having sound sources required to represent accompaniment data, selected by the CPU and stored in the audio/video data memory, using sounds of various musical instruments; a microphone for converting the user' s voice into an electrical signal; a mixer for mixing the sounds of musical instruments represented by the sound source chip with the voice collected by the microphone; a switch for selecting broadcast sounds output from the CPU when
broadcasts are watched, and selecting the sounds of musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer when accompaniment is played; and a speaker for outputting the broadcast sounds, or the sounds of musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer, as selected using the switch.
<20> Preferably, the CPU may be constructed to display TV broadcast images and lyrics of a song read from the audio/video data memory.
<2i> Preferably, the CPU may be connected to an external image input device, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a camcorder, a Digital Video Express (DIVX) player, or a video camera, and may be constructed to display a background image and lyrics of a song, which are read from the audio/video data memory, together with an image input from the external image input device when accompaniment is played.
<22> Preferably, the background image may be one of a Bitmap (BMP) image, an MPEG still image, and an MPEG moving image.
<23> Preferably, the CPU may be connected to a hard disc for storing broadcasts to be displayed on the display, or storing an image, a background image, and lyrics of a song, which are output from the audio/video data memory, the hard disc having a function of a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) enabling stored data to be played under control of the CPU at a request of the user when accompaniment is played.
<24> Preferably, the hard disc may be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device for interfacing with an external device.
<25> Preferably, a broadcasting station may transmit MIDI content or background image information to the digital set-top box of the user together with broadcast signals using an Over-The-Air (OTA) method, and the digital set-top box may download the MIDI content or background image data received from the broadcasting station in real time using the OTA method.
<26> Preferably, the digital set-top box of the user may enable charging of a price for downloading MIDI content or background images using a user authentication device, such as a Common Interface (CI) or Conditional Access
System (CAS) when the MIDI content or background images are downloaded using an OTA method.
[Advantageous Effects]
<28> Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in that a conventional digital set-top box and karaoke machine are integrated into a single system, so that a karaoke function, as well as a function of receiving broadcasts, can be performed using a single system without using a separately provided karaoke machine and digital set-top box, thus increasing the convenience of use and reducing costs.
<29> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that a real-time broadcast image selected by a user can be used as a background screen, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user, thus enabling various images to be used as background screens.
<30> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that various images input from an external image input device, such as a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera, can be used as background screens, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user, thus enabling various types of images, as well as real-time broadcast images, to be used as background screens. In particular, the present invention is advantageous in that, when an image captured by a video camera is used as a background screen, a background image selected by the user can be displayed together with the image captured by the video camera, thus arousing the user s interest.
<3i> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows various types of images and MIDI content selected by a user to be stored in a hard disc and to be played and used repeatedly, thus allowing a user to utilize a karaoke function without using real-time broadcast images or any external image input device, and, additionally, allowing the user to freely create his or her own content for karaoke.
<32> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows desired MIDI content or background images to be downloaded using an OTA method, thus obtaining various types of MIDI content or background images without accessing the Internet or requiring the purchase of a separate memory
pack. In particular, the present invention can enable charging for downloaded MIDI content or background images using a user authentication device (for example, a Common Interface [CI], a Conditional Access System [CAS], etc.), thus operating a content service. [Description of Drawings]
<33> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a conventional digital set-top box!
<34> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of a conventional karaoke machine; and
<35> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the construction of a digital set-top box having a karaoke function according to the present invention.
<36> - Description of reference characters of important parts
<37> 11: user interface 12: tuner
<38> 13: user authentication device 14: external image input device
<39> 15: system memory 16: CPU
<40> 17: sound source chip 18: microphone
<4i> 19: mixer 20: audio/video data memory
<42> 21: switch 22: display
<43> 23: speaker 24: USB device
<44> 25: hard disc [Best Mode]
<45> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail .
<46> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the construction of a digital set-top box having a karaoke function according to the present invention. The digital set-top box is constructed such that a user interface 11 for inputting a user s command, required to direct the overall operation of the set-top box, a tuner 12 for receiving broadcasts, system memory 15 for storing various types of programs required to operate the set-top box, audio/video data memory 20 for storing MIDI content that contains data about accompaniment, the lyrics, still images, and moving images corresponding to a great number of songs, a
CPU 16 having the function of a conventional demodulator or MPEG decoder required to process broadcast signals received from the tuner 12 in response to a command input from the user interface 11, and controlling the driving of various types of peripherals used for a karaoke function, a display 22 for displaying broadcast images output from the CPU 16 when broadcasts are watched, and displaying the lyrics of a song together with one of a still image, a moving image, and a broadcast image selected by the CPU 16 when accompaniment is played a sound source chip 17 having sound sources required to represent accompaniment data, which is selected by the CPU 16 and is stored in the audio/video data memory 20, using sounds of various types of musical instruments, a microphone 18 for converting the user' s voice into an electrical signal, a mixer 19 for mixing the sounds of musical instruments represented by the sound source chip 17 with the voice collected by the microphone 18, a switch 21 for selecting broadcast sounds output from the CPU 16 when broadcasts are watched, and selecting the sounds of the musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer 19 when accompaniment is played, and a speaker 23 for outputting the broadcast sounds, or the sounds of the musical instruments mixed with the user' s voice using the mixer 19, as selected using the switch 21, are manufactured as a single product, thus enabling broadcast images, which are received in real time, to be used as background screens for karaoke.
<47> Further, the set-top box is constructed such that an external image input device 14, such as a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera, is connected to the CPU 16, and the lyrics of a song read from the audio/video data memory 20 are displayed on the display unit 22 together with the image input from the external image input device 14 under the control of the CPU 16 when accompaniment is played, thus enabling externally input images input from a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera to be used together with broadcast images, which are received in real time, as background screens for karaoke.
<48> Further, the set-top box can be constructed such that the external
image input device 14, such as a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera, is connected to the CPU 16, and such that both a background image and the lyrics of a song, read from the audio/video data memory 20, are displayed on the display unit 22 together with the image input from the external image input device 14 under the control of the CPU 16 when accompaniment is played, thus not only allowing externally input images from a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera to be used as background screens for karaoke, but also displaying two still images or moving images on the display 22.
<49> In this case, the background images may include, for example, Bitmap (BMP) images, MPEG still images, MPEG moving images, etc.
<50> Further, the set-top box is constructed such that the hard disc 25 for storing broadcast images to be displayed on the display 22, or the image, the background image, and the lyrics of songs, output from the audio/video data memory 20, is connected to the CPU 16, and such that a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) function of playing the stored data under the control of the CPU 16 at the request of the user when accompaniment is played, is assigned to the hard disc 25, thus allowing the user to play the user' s desired images or MIDI content at any time.
<5i> In particular, the USB device 24 for interfacing with external devices is connected to the hard disc 25, and thus various types of information about images or MIDI content received from the external devices can be stored in the hard disc 25, and the various types of information about images or MIDI content stored in the hard disc 25 can be monitored.
<52> Moreover, a broadcasting station transmits MIDI content or background image information to the digital set-top box of the user, together with broadcast signals using an Over-The-Air (OTA) method, and the digital set-top box allows the MIDI content or background image information, which are received from the broadcasting station, to be downloaded in real time using the OTA method, thereby allowing the user to obtain various types of MIDI content or background images without accessing the Internet or utilizing a
memory pack.
<53> In this case, the digital set-top box can enable charging for downloaded MIDI content or background images through the user authentication device 13, such as a Common Interface (CI) or Conditional Access System (CAS), when MIDI content or background images are downloaded using the OTA method, as in the case of typical digital data broadcasting.
<54> The operation of the digital set-top box having a karaoke function according to the present invention having the above construction is described below. However, for the convenience of description, the present applicant omits a description of operation that is the same as that of the conventional digital set-top box or the conventional karaoke machine, described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
<55> First, in the case where a broadcast is watched, when the tuner 12 detects a broadcast signal desired by the user in the signals received through an antenna, filters and passes an IF signal, and outputs the IF signal to the CPU 16, the CPU 16 converts the IF signal into a baseband signal, converts MPEG TS data into a video signal, an audio signal, and various types of information data using the MPEG decoder thereof, converts the video signal into a composite signal, a component signal, and an S- terminal signal using the video encoder thereof, and outputs the composite signal, the component signal, and the S-terminal signal to the display 22, thus allowing the user to watch the corresponding broadcast.
<56> Further, the user can select a desired channel through the user interface 11, and such a function can be performed using the program stored in the system memory 15.
<57> Next, in the case where the present invention is used as a karaoke machine, when the user selects a desired song by searching a data book of song titles for the number of the song and by manipulating a remote controller or keys on the user interface 11, the CPU 16 loads the accompaniment file, the lyrics file, and moving image data or still image data corresponding to the selected song from the audio/video data memory 20,
using the program stored in the system memory 15. Thereafter, the CPU 16 starts to play the accompaniment when a start button or a key corresponding thereto is manipulated. Such accompaniment is played using a method similar to that of a conventional karaoke machine.
<58> In this case, if the user is authenticated by the user authentication device 13 for payment, etc., the user can watch broadcast programs on paid channels. Further, the authenticated user can download MIDI content or background images received from an artificial satellite through the tuner 12, together with broadcast signals. At this time, the user can select required MIDI content or background image through the user interface 11.
<59> Further, a karaoke function can be performed similar to the above- described conventional karaoke machine at the same time that the broadcast images received through the tuner 12, or external images received from the external image input device 14, such as a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, or a video camera, are displayed on the display 22, thus allowing the user to view various images as background screens for karaoke. [Industrial Applicability]
<60> The present invention is advantageous in that a conventional digital set-top box and karaoke machine are integrated into a single system, so that a karaoke function as well as a function of receiving broadcasts can be performed using a single system without using a separately provided karaoke machine and digital set-top box, thus increasing the convenience of use and reducing costs.
<6i> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that a real-time broadcast image selected by a user can be used as a background screen, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user, thus enabling various images to be used as background screens.
<62> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that various images input from external image input devices, such as a DVD player, a camcorder, a DIVX player, and a video camera, can be used as background screens, and a karaoke function can be performed using MIDI content selected by the user,
thus enabling various types of images, as well as real-time broadcast images, to be used as background screens. In particular, the present invention is advantageous in that, when an image captured by a video camera is used as a background screen, the background image selected by the user can be displayed together with the image captured by the video camera, thus arousing the user s interest .
<63> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows various types of images and MIDI content, selected by the user, to be stored in a hard disc and to be played and used repeatedly, thus allowing the user to utilize a karaoke function without exploiting real-time broadcast images or external image input devices, and, additionally, allowing the user to freely create his or her own content for karaoke.
<64> Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows desired MIDI content or background images to be downloaded using an OTA method, thus obtaining various types of MIDI content or background images without accessing the Internet or requiring the purchase of a separate memory pack. In particular, the present invention can enable charging for downloaded MIDI content or background images using a user authentication device (for example, a Common Interface [CI], a Conditional Access System [CAS], etc.), thus operating a content service.